Nadav Malin, LEED AP, BuildingGreen Inc., Brattleboro, Vt.

      Buildings are inherently materials-intensive, and the materials selected can have a large impact on human health and the environment. Rating systems, such as LEEDTM, have their own preferences; manufacturers make various claims, with differing degrees of legitimacy. Several programs claim to certify or list products as “environmentally preferable.” We’ll take a guided tour through the clutter of green products and materials.

Learning objectives:

• Assess the difference between single-attribute product selection methods and those that consider a broad range of attributes
• Evaluate lifecycle-based information provided by suppliers
• Interpret the various ecolabels manufacturers use to distinguish products.